Family and Friends.
I’m so very fortunate to have been loved and surrounded by both this past year, and I truly believe that I would not be where I am today without them. One year ago this coming Saturday, the final destination of a 4 day fall bike trip was the Harvest Festival at a winery in North Carolina. After being struck while riding my motorcycle through an intersection, the plans changed dramatically.
As the anniversary of the wreck drew nearer, friends and I talked about ways to recognize the one year mark. If I think too much about the wreck, it freaks me out (just a bit!), so I just keep focusing on celebrating life!
My friend Amy suggested that we come full circle and “finish” last year’s trip. So despite the rain, we headed off to North Carolina’s Wine Country. Home to more than 100 wineries, we decided to visit 3 of them. Amy doesn’t ride, so we took off in the truck.
I’m sure you’ll not be surprised to hear that I have many, many photos to process, but I wanted to share a few with you today. It rained on and off the whole time but we had a blast none the less.
Thank you, Amy, for coming full circle with me!
As you read this post, I’m driving to Pittsburgh with my friend Ruth to watch the Virginia Tech / University of Pittsburgh Football Game.
Life never offers me a dull moment, and I’m doing my best to practice gratitude daily!
Life on the Bike and other Fab Things 
Love you!!
Jan E. Simonsen
Member and Shareholder
Carr Maloney P.C.
2000 L Street, NW
Suite 450
Washington, DC 20036
202-310-5522
and without a doubt I love you, too!!
The fact that you continue to ride speaks volumes to your spirit. You go girl!
Thank you, Lynn, for the encouraging words!
Right on, Laurie Buchwald! And hats off to Amy for celebrating with you.
Thank you, Bruce, and indeed, Amy has been by side throughout!
You are Wonder Woman! A shining example of true heroism! [My definition of a hero is someone who despite feeling afraid, does what needs to be done anyway.] xoxo
I like your definition, Pauline! Thank you!
Beautiful post about the circle of your recovery….in fact recovery in general….you are always inspiring with your attitude of ‘can do’, and your openness to life and all it has to show us 🙂
Seonaid, your thoughts are most appreciated! Thank you!
Such an uplifting post, LB! What courage to “go the full circle.” Stunning pictures as usual – I love them! Enjoy Pittsburgh and the football. xoxoxox
Thank you so much, Dani! Pittsburgh was awesome (my football team – not so much!)
Excellent post, excellent photos Laurie. May the coming year be absolutely fabulous for you in the company of family and friends.
Mary, thanks for your good wishes! I’ll hope that for both of us!!
Outstanding images Laurie and I can’t believe it has been a year since that wreck. Its great to see you in good health and writing about it 🙂
It’s hard for me to believe it’s been a year … and you’ve been there this whole time!
Thank You!
Your photographs are breathtaking.
Thank you, Meghan! Not too bad for rainy day images 🙂
Not at all!
So horrible about the wreck but good to know you got right back in the saddle again! LOVE these rainy day images, such great mood! Can’t wait to see more!
Thank you for your thoughts and kind comments! Much appreciated!
Odd to see a glass of wine.. Nah, joking 🙂
Bike crashes (good ones (good as in bad)) are difficult to reconcile, it takes time mate, but ya never forget.
The rain here ads an extra dimension, nice work 🙂
I thought you’d be surprised by the wine!! I was happy the photos turned out despite the rain, rain, rain!
A wreck surely is a life changing thing, even if health is restored and injuries mostly healed.
Life changing indeed, I am glad you got back into it, that is courage, or maybe something else 🙂
What a difference a year makes! I wasn’t following your blog when the crash happened but I like knowing you came back so well. And you did a great job with the photos, proving that you can beauty even on less-than-perfect days!
Thank you so much, Kerry, for your comments about the recovery and the photos (too bad my Hokies had much less than perfect day – ugh!).
What a great idea to celebrate life by revisiting and coming full circle with the unfinished trip. And as always, you have some great photos!
Yes, Amy had a wonderful idea, didn’t she? Such a great way to commemorate a life changing event. Glad you liked the photos!
Laurie, you’ve come through so much in a relatively short time. You’re remarkable. I love the way you chose to commemorate the day, with a good friend and your original destination. Big, big hug coming your way. xoxo
Thank you, Alys. It sure seemed to be the best way to move forward … tomorrow is the actual anniversary. I’ve found that I can’t help but think about where I was a year ago. Thankfully … alive and surrounded by the love of family and friends.
Indeed. You’ve experienced a major trauma in your life, both physically and emotionally. It will stay with you for years to come. I’m so glad you’re alive and doing better each day. I’m also glad you are taking out the experiences and letting them breathe. You have to live life forward, but at the same time acknowledge the past.
xox
PS Your photos make me wistful. They’re lovely, every one of them, like you.
❤
Brave and wonderful way to celebrate your recovery, Laurie! Your love of life and adventure comes through in everything you do, and that includes your photography. Great, great pictures, in spite of the rain!
Thank you so much, Stacy, for your comments about life and photography. I’m so pleased that the rainy day images turned!
YAY YOU!!
Smiling!
Well you went full circle in life as they say….nothing better than that my friend. Cheers to you.
Thank you, Laurie!
You rock girl. Congrats on an amazing year. 🙂
Thanks Suz! Onward and upward!!
I think the photos and this full circle trip has this message – you’ve weathered this storm and found beauty and peace in it. Love you, Laurie.
Liz, you always say just the right thing. Love you, too.
You are an amazing person Laurie, so full of energy and nothing is stopping you from enjoying life, not even the wreck. Beautiful photos and so nice to see a photo of you, you look lovely, and happy! 🙂
Thank you so much, Elina. I so appreciate your lovely comments!
Hard to believe it has been a year already…all the more reason to live life to the fullest, which you appear to be doing!!! You have such a great spirit in what you do! I love all the water droplets in your photos…speaks to the weather. In particular the rose is gorgeous, with the water droplets and it looks like a wasp and a tiny bug of some kind…
I’m so glad you commented on that rose and the insect, whatever it is. I went in for the shot because of the water droplets and saw the insect, too. Fun!
We were determined to remember the day and to celebrate life despite the weather. And it all worked out well!
Great plan, I’m glad you were able to mark the anniversary with a friend. I’ve never had any ‘near death’ experience but I’m thinking I’d be a basket case for some time. Not you! Your perseverance is pretty inspiring LB. While injured physically and no doubt emotionally, you continued to be a supportive friend and valued community member here at WP too. Your enthusiasm for life in general always makes me smile. This really comes thru your lens, weather it’s raining or not, I can picture you out there capturing it all with a big brilliant (new) smile. I can’t believe those gorgeous roses in October and all the green, wonderful! The iron flower shot is my favourite. It’s like on Bewitched when she snapped her fingers and stopped things in motion, that’s you and your trusty camera LB, magic xoxoxox.
Morning K! Thankyou for your ever supportive and loving comments! and yes, that iron flower is a favorite, too … especially with the water drops on it!
Wish you were here … I brought home ALOT of wine! I need some help 🙂
There’s the ticket, “When life hands you rain, park the bike, take the truck and bring home a bunch of wine”
I think that could catch on, LOL. xo
Boomdee, you’re too funny “When life hands you rain, bring home wine!” ha ha ha!
I love the term, “full circle”. Even though I came to know you after the wreck, I have understood that your resiliency and pluck of life has carried you through. You are an amazing person Laurie, and an inspiration to many of us. I love the candid photography that you share with us – so reflective of the beauty of all things in nature, architecture, and people. It is as if you celebrate life in a deeper dimension. What a gift you are!
Lori, your words are generous and kind and bring a smile to my heart. I wish I had your way with words. Know that you have given me a gift with this comment. Thank you
Congrats on coming thru this all, Laurie, such a courageous journey you´ve gone through, very impressive! All the best to you, Ron
Thank you so much for your kindness and congratulations, Ron. That means much!
these pictures have a great mood 🙂
And a fun mood it was, despite the rain!
Oh, Laurie, a whole year. It can’t have been that long ago when you were posting photos of the roses from your hospital room? What a year and what a woman. Your constant active effort to face the scary memories are so obvious and inspiring. Back on the horse, back on the trail, finding something to smile about (with a brand new, fixed up smile) every single day. You are an example of the best of what we can be.
You have such a great memory! I was looking at that photo of the roses just the other day.
Crystal, thank you for being there with me! I look forward to the day we meet “for real”
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